Disney's Partnership with BBC Leaves Doctor Who Spinoff in Limbo
A bitter dispute between Disney and the BBC has left fans of Doctor Who wondering what lies ahead for their beloved show. The last few months have seen a steady decline in the partnership's progress, and it appears that things are only getting worse.
The BBC initially stated that its 2019 deal with Disney would see The War Between the Land and the Sea released on both broadcast channels and the iPlayer streaming service this December. However, in a surprising move, the corporation has confirmed that the series will now air on BBC broadcast channels before hitting Disney+. The two-part premiere is set to launch on December 7, followed by weekly releases throughout the remainder of the month.
While the UK audience can look forward to an exclusive release, international viewers are being left in the dark. When asked for clarification on The War Between's international release, a Disney spokesperson simply reiterated that the series will be available on the streamer in 2026. This decision marks a stark contrast with how previous seasons of Doctor Who have been broadcast globally.
The past few years have seen significant changes to the show's broadcasting schedule, with episodes being released on Disney+ first to accommodate better premiere times for US audiences. However, this move has reportedly contributed to dwindling audience figures in the UK. It is clear that the BBC has decided to take a different approach, prioritizing its own broadcast schedule over streaming releases.
The departure of the BBC from the partnership leaves fans wondering what the future holds for Doctor Who. The last few episodes commissioned as part of Disney's era will now be separated by months, with international audiences waiting until Christmas 2026 to catch up on The War Between the Land and the Sea. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the show's popularity and its ability to thrive in an increasingly competitive television landscape.
A bitter dispute between Disney and the BBC has left fans of Doctor Who wondering what lies ahead for their beloved show. The last few months have seen a steady decline in the partnership's progress, and it appears that things are only getting worse.
The BBC initially stated that its 2019 deal with Disney would see The War Between the Land and the Sea released on both broadcast channels and the iPlayer streaming service this December. However, in a surprising move, the corporation has confirmed that the series will now air on BBC broadcast channels before hitting Disney+. The two-part premiere is set to launch on December 7, followed by weekly releases throughout the remainder of the month.
While the UK audience can look forward to an exclusive release, international viewers are being left in the dark. When asked for clarification on The War Between's international release, a Disney spokesperson simply reiterated that the series will be available on the streamer in 2026. This decision marks a stark contrast with how previous seasons of Doctor Who have been broadcast globally.
The past few years have seen significant changes to the show's broadcasting schedule, with episodes being released on Disney+ first to accommodate better premiere times for US audiences. However, this move has reportedly contributed to dwindling audience figures in the UK. It is clear that the BBC has decided to take a different approach, prioritizing its own broadcast schedule over streaming releases.
The departure of the BBC from the partnership leaves fans wondering what the future holds for Doctor Who. The last few episodes commissioned as part of Disney's era will now be separated by months, with international audiences waiting until Christmas 2026 to catch up on The War Between the Land and the Sea. It remains to be seen how this decision will impact the show's popularity and its ability to thrive in an increasingly competitive television landscape.
I'm really confused about this whole thing, tbh. I love Doctor Who and was super excited for a new Disney spinoff, but now it sounds like international fans are gonna miss out on the premiere. I mean, can't we all just watch it together? 
It's not fair that UK viewers get to see it first while everyone else has to wait till next year. I guess this just goes to show how streaming services can be super weird and unpredictable...
I wonder what's going on behind the scenes. Maybe it's about making more money from Disney+, idk 
! i mean, what's going on with these streaming services and their partnership drama? first of all, who thought it was a good idea to release a tv show on different platforms at the same time? it's like they're trying to confuse us on purpose 
. the bbc and disney were supposed to work together, not play games with each other behind our backs.
. they have to wait until 2026 to watch the new season of doctor who? that's so unfair! i feel like we're being treated like an afterthought here 
. what happened to the good old days when shows were released globally at the same time?
. bring back the old days of reliable tv broadcasts! 
international viewers are gonna have to wait til christmas 2026 for the premiere which is just whaaat 
- can't imagine how upsetting this must be for whovians all over the world 
? anyway, gotta say i love doctor who more than ever since matt smith was on (RIP) 
. it makes me wonder if they even listened to each other's concerns or needs? 
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. It's like Disney wants to keep us waiting until next year to watch The War Between the Land and the Sea 
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. I hope the BBC and Disney can work things out and find a better solution that works for everyone.
Can't wait to see how this impacts Doctor Who's future episodes and audience numbers... will it be a game-changer or a major loss for the show? 
But, on the other hand, I'm totally bummed that we won't get to see The War Between the Land and the Sea on Disney+ until 2026 
BBC says goodbye to Disney+ 
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